"Miss Percival," said aunt Maria, shaking hands with that excellent
young lady, "I wish you joy of your noble employment. It is a blessed
thing to be able to give so much pleasure to these dear little children."

"So it seems to me," replied Miss Percival. "They are always grateful,
too, for every little kindness."

"They look very good and obedient," said Mrs. Clifford, in a low voice.

"So they are. Sometimes I think they are better than children who have
eyes; perhaps because they cannot see to get into so much mischief,"
added Miss Percival, pinching Emily's cheek.

"Aunt 'Ria," said Dotty, in raptures, "_don't_ they have good
times here?"

"Yelly good times," said little Flyaway, clutching at her mother's dress.
"Mamma, I wish _I_ was blind-eyed, too."

"You, my darling baby! Mother hopes that will never be. But if you
cannot be blind-eyed yourself, perhaps you may make some of these little
ones happy. Is there anything you would like to give away?"

Flyaway winked slowly, trying to think what she had at home that she no
longer wished to keep.

"Yes, mamma," said she at last, with a smile of satisfaction, "I've got
a old hat."

"O, fie, Katie! I dare say you would be very glad to part with that, for